Canadian Rockies Wilderness Walk

Overview

Few places in the world offer such pristine scenery and diverse hiking options as the Canadian Rockies. Virgin forests, shimmering blue lakes, ancient glaciers, deep canyons and rushing rivers weave their way across the landscape whilst wildlife abounds. It's a paradise for photographers, wildlife and outdoors enthusiasts, but, most of all, it's a haven for walkers. Hike along an extensive network of trails in some of the best national parks in the world and spot the bountiful wildlife that call this area home including bears, eagles, deer and moose. Nothing will inspire you more than a trip through the Canadian Rockies.

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Included Highlights

Trek through the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies with a series of named hiking trails

Enjoy a three night heli-hike experience within the Canadian wilderness area of Landslide Lake

Drive the breathtaking Icefields Parkway

Wildlife viewing opportunities

Sweeping views of Moraine Lake

Forested walks through alpine covered valleys

Views of Saskatchewan Glacier

Three nights in the Lake Louise area

Walk to Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park

Three nights in Jasper National Park

Need to Know

Tour Style

Walking

Group Size

Max 12

Camping

11 Nights

Hotel

1 Night

Other Inclusions

Two professional tour guides to allow greater support

All transportation by private vehicle

11 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 9 dinners

Essential Information

Prices quoted are land only. Call us on 0333 999 7951 for a flight quote (UK only)

This tour requires a minimum number of five to operate. On rare occasions we may run with lower numbers

Trip Dossier

Download the Canadian Rockies Wilderness Walk trip dossier for tour-specific details including full itinerary, pre-departure information, packing tips and more about our style of travel.

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Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

All departures of this tour in 2019 are guaranteed, so once you've booked you can be sure you're going! This guarantee gives you the confidence to book all of your travel arrangements and simply look forward to your holiday.

Welcome to Calgary, gateway to the Canadian Rockies, where you can take time before the tour begins to explore this cosmopolitan city with its skyscrapers and booming oil industry. Calgary has historically been famous for its 'Wild West' roots but in recent years has become a dynamic and exciting city. It oozes Western culture, a feature that earned it the nickname 'Cowtown' - evident in the Calgary Stampede. Join your tour guide and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting at 18:00 hrs in the hotel lobby.

Accommodation

Hotel included

Meals

Today we go west in the heart of the Rockies, onto Lake Louise, your base for the next three nights. Upon arrival, take in the epic panorama of the Chateau Lake Louise and warm up those hiking boots with a walk on the Lake Agnes beside the emerald coloured lake for views of Victoria glacier. Hike through old-growth forest before reaching spectacular views of Lake Louise from above and then continue along the trail until you reach Lake Agnes and a rustic teahouse, providing much needed refreshment before the descent back down to your campsite near Lake Louise.

Accommodation

Meals

Take a short transfer to Moraine Lake, neighbour to Lake Louise and situated in the scenic Valley of the Ten Peaks. Hike along the Larch Valley before climbing to Sentinel Pass for magnificent views of Banff National Park backcountry. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including elk, porcupine and bears, which are often sighted on the trail. From here you can either hike back or start your descent along the Paradise Valley to end this loop trail. This is one of Banff's premier hiking trails, so do expect to see a few fellow hikers on the trail too.

Accommodation

Meals

Cross the Continental Divide north along the Kicking Horse River towards Yoho National Park. Yoho, meaning 'wonder' in the Cree Indian language, is home to some beautiful alpine scenery, which is best explored on foot. Your trail today delivers striking views of Takakkaw Falls, Daly Glacier and Yoho River. Overshadowed by the neighbouring parks of Banff and Jasper, Yoho National Park is the hidden treasure of the Canadian National Parks System. If you don’t fancy seeing the trail through the entire 21kms, you can hike a section of the trail and join an optional rafting excursion in the afternoon, on the glacier fed Kicking Horse River.

Optional Activities

Today you journey over to Jasper National Park so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as Black Bears and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep which are in abundance. On your way you will hike the Parker Ridge trail with the chance to see Saskatchewan Glacier. The trail climbs quickly until it gets above the treeline. The trail does not actually reach the summit of Parker Ridge, but it comes within about 60 vertical meters of it and the views are simply incredible. Tonight, you'll set up camp underneath the watchful gaze of Jasper's rugged peaks, your home for the next three nights. En route, along the Icefield Parkway you’ll have the opportunity for a hike on Athabasca Glacier (please let your guide know on day one if you’re interested as this activity is prone to selling out).

Accommodation

Meals

Optional Activities

Jasper is much quieter than some other national parks, making it easier to leave the crowds behind. Take the trail to Cavell Meadows at the foot of Angel Glacier for a true wilderness feel. After climbing up, you reach the alpine terrain with great chance to watch caribous! This is a great way to find out more about the ever-changing environment of this stunning national park.

Trail name: Cavell Meadows

Accommodation

Meals

Jasper is much quieter than some other national parks, making it easier to leave the crowds behind. Today you hike the Sulphur Skyline trail which has some of the most breath-taking panoramas that Jasper has to offer. You hike the five mile trek to the mountain peak overlooking a phenomenally rugged section of the Canadian Rockies. Of course, a great way to finish the day is with a soak in Miette Hot Springs to ease those aching muscles, which is why we’ve included this for you (don’t forget your swim wear).

Accommodation

Meals

Optional Activities

Today you take a short helicopter flight to Landslide Lake where you are dropped in the alpine, far away from other hikers, to trek through wilderness. You’ll set up our camp here for the next three nights at a wilderness camp devoid of other travellers, facilities, picnic tables or the modernity’s of everyday life. It is important to be aware that you will not be staying in a campsite, this is the Canadian wilderness and your guide will set up tent where it’s best; there is no determined camping spot. You will not have access to showers or modern toilets during your three night stay, and each day your guide will hoist food into the trees and away from bears. After arrival and having set up your camp, your guide will take you on a hike around the Landslide Lake area.

Please note: We ask that customers take no more cargo than 20 pounds each (including carry-on) for 3 nights and that it is packed in a soft small gym bag. If you wish to leave luggage behind, this can be stored inside the trailer, which is left parked at the helicopter company.

Accommodation

Wild camping included

Meals

You have many options for the next two days ranging from steady walks through alpine meadows to strenuous treks to surrounding ridges. Your tour guides will suggest hiking choices such as Lake of the Fall hike or an unnamed pass hike (amongst others). All hikes offer a truly experience in the wilderness of the Rockies, but it is important to remember that there are no designated trails, you’re in the wilderness and there are no ‘official trails’. It is public land and ungoverned by a national park. Your guides will make decisions based on the capabilities of the group. Bear spray on hand in the rare event it is required.

Accommodation

Camping included

Meals

This morning you fly out in a spectacular helicopter flight to reach Cline River before heading to Banff National Park by road. You’ll be based out of Banff for a two nights stay and be able to explore more thrilling hiking trails by foot. In the afternoon, you will discover Minnewanka Lake, a large glacier lake of 5 kilometres, for an easy hike by the rocky shore or simply relax by the water. Visit the Banff area, relax on Banff Upper Hot Springs or rent a canoe and paddle along the Bow River for a little watery adventure.

Accommodation

Camping included

Meals

This 14-km loop trail is well worth the strenuous workout up 981m to the Cory Pass, behind Mt. Edith, past Mt. Louis and through the Edith Pass on the way back to the trailhead. From the Fireside Picnic area, you follow the trail 1 km to the Cory pass junction. You then climb most of the 915 m over 4.5 km, eventually reaching above the tree line. There are several points to take photos and catch your breath along the way. Once through the Cory pass you will follow a rough trail for about 3.5 km through scree fields and across avalanche paths until you regain the main hiking trail at Edith Pass. Descend along the drainage through the forest between Mt. Norquay and Mt. Edith until you loop past the Cory Pass junction again and then to the trailhead. This is a nice hike and a favourite of the local climbing community.

Accommodation

Meals

The tour is nearly coming to an end but there is time for one last chance to hit the trails and sample the Canadian Rockies. Today (depending on weather conditions) you will more than likely hike the Cascade Amphitheatre trail. This hike begins at the Mt. Norquay ski area, crosses a bridge over Forty Mile Creek, then traverses through dense forest to the Cascade Amphitheatre. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you emerge into the amphitheatre, enclosed by limestone cliffs, as there are commonly wildflowers early season. After this you make a beeline for Calgary where your tour ends at approximately 17:00 hrs.

Our tours depart at designated hotels in our gateway cities, so it's a great idea to book a room for the night before and after your tour. It's also worth staying extra nights to explore the city more. You must book these hotels in advance either online with your tour or by contacting our friendly sales team.

For the 30 Jun, 2019 departure we will be using the Clarion Airport Hotel at the conclusion of the tour. For the 14 Jul, 2019 departure we will be using the Clarion Airport Hotel as the gateway hotel.

CALGARY - RAMADA DOWNTOWN

708 - 8 Ave. S.W., Calgary, Canada, AB, T2P 1H2

The hotel is an easy walking distance to local attractions and entertainment and complete with a fitness center and an outdoor heated pool.

AIRPORT TRANSFER INFORMATION

To travel from the airport to the hotel there are two options.The first is to visit the Allied Shuttle airport service before exiting the airport terminal, which stops at multiple hotels and costs CA$15 plus tax per person, a CA$1-2 tip is also expected. The second way is to take a taxi which costs approximately CA$40-45 and takes between 20-30 minutes depending on the road conditions. Please note a tip of 15-20% is generally expected.

CALGARY – CLARION AIRPORT HOTEL

2120 16 Ave. N.E., Calgary, AB, T2E 1L4

The hotel is close to the airport and offers free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and fitness centre.

AIRPORT TRANSFER INFORMATION

The hotel offers a free transfer to and from the airport. Contact the hotel on +1 403-291-4666 from the free phones in the airport to arrange a pickup.

If you’ve booked pre or post nights in our gateway cities, spend some time exploring. We’ve partnered with GetYourGuide to make sure you take in all the highlights and experience everything these incredible cities have to offer.

Our specialist flights department can offer UK customers a great airline fare to all of our destinations. We have preferred contracts with many international carriers and have secured some of the most competitive prices in the industry.

At Grand American Adventures we believe that your safety and enjoyment are the most important parts of your holiday. That's why we recommend you take out insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. We can offer you a comprehensive travel insurance policy which is completely tailored for your trip and is specially designed to include all the activities listed we do.

If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel. ​

There are loads of exciting optional activities available for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don't. A list of optional activities and approximate costs are shown at the end of each day by day itinerary descriptions above.

Your tour leader will arrange your chosen activities during the tour so no need to pre-book. You'll also pay for these locally so ensure you budget for the bucket list items!

As local weather conditions and seasonality can change not all optional activities may be available on your trip and prices can be subject to change.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/

Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit our Travel Aware page. The advice can change so check regularly for updates.